The atmosphere inside the Indian ODI dressing room has reportedly shifted ever since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the first ODI against Australia brought renewed energy, but ongoing tension between the two senior players and Gambhir has raised concerns within the BCCI.
According to a report from Dainik Jagran, the dynamic Gambhir, once shared with Kohli and Rohit, has weakened significantly. A BCCI source stated, “The relations between Gautam Gambhir and senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma aren’t as good as they should be, and there could be a meeting regarding the future of the two players. This could take place either in Raipur or Visakhapatnam – venues for the second and third ODIs.”
These tensions reportedly grew after both Rohit and Kohli unexpectedly retired from Test cricket, a move that took many by surprise. The Australia ODI series—marking their first appearance since their Test retirement—only added to the strain, especially with Rohit’s relationship with chief selector Ajit Agarkar reportedly turning cold. Kohli struggled initially with two ducks before returning to form in the third ODI, while Rohit contributed with a century in the same match.
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Kohli completely ignored gambhir after win 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/XNBwPZPN0q
— ADITYA (@Wxtreme10) December 1, 2025
Concerns Grow Over Internal Communication
Communication within the team’s senior circle seems to have diminished. As India shifts focus to the South Africa ODI series, the limited interaction between Gambhir and Kohli has become increasingly noticeable. Reports suggest that “During the Australia series, Rohit and Agarkar did not interact at all. Between then and now, even Kohli and Gambhir haven’t spoken much to each other.”
Such a breakdown in communication is unusual for a team that relies heavily on strong leadership coordination. The disconnect threatens to impact long-term planning, especially with two of India’s biggest icons at the centre of the uncertainty. The BCCI is reportedly closely monitoring the situation, aware that harmony between coach and senior players is crucial not only for on-field performance but also for maintaining stability within the squad.
BCCI Unhappy With Social Media Backlash
While internal issues grow, external factors have added more strain. Gautam Gambhir has faced continuous criticism from fan groups on social media, particularly from supporters of Rohit and Kohli, who often hold him responsible for perceived dissatisfaction within the team. This public hostility has not gone unnoticed by the board. According to the report, “Besides, the manner in which fans of Kohli and Rohit are attacking Gambhir on social media has made the BCCI upset.”
The board believes this online negativity further complicates an already delicate situation and reflects poorly on Indian cricket. With senior players communicating less and fan wars intensifying, the BCCI finds itself dealing with a challenging dynamic that demands clarity and resolution in the coming days.
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